Jason, as Drew turned to look at him, the door to the hospital room suddenly swung open by Bryce’s


    assistant.


    At the sight of Jason and Drew just standing at the doorway, the assistant was momentarily taken


    aback before offering a respectful greeting, “Mr. Jason.”


    Jason gave the assistant a brief nce, nonchnt as he entered the room.


    Upon Jason’s arrival, Bryce greeted him with aposed nod, “Hey.”


    Bracing herself up in bed with both hands, Estre said, “It’s just a minor fracture. You don’t have to


    come. You’re making it seem like I’m at death’s door.”


    Drew chimed in carefully, “Ms. Estre, Mr. Jason is really concerned about you. He rushed here right


    after his flightnded, even canceling a very important meeting.”


    After Drew spoke, Bryce shot him a nce. So, was Drew ying spokesman for Jason?


    Jason paid no mind to their insinuations, merely walking up to Estre’s bedside, looking down at her,


    “What happened?”


    Estre looked up at him briefly, “Just work stuff.”


    Ever since that p, Estre rarely confided in Jason as before. She no longer shared everything with


    him like she used to.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Hands still in his pockets, Jason just stood there, gazing down at Estre. For a moment, the


    atmosphere in the hospital room grew somber.


    Estre, noticing the mood, was about to send them both away when the room door was opened again.


    Inside, the three turned to look as Jesse entered, carrying Isaac in her arms.


    At the entrance, Jesse’s face, which was full of smiles just a moment ago, suddenly changed when she


    saw Jason here. With a slicked-back haircut, a few strands falling over her forehead, and Isaac cradled


    in one arm, Jesse looked cooler than ever.


    After scanning the room and sensing the subdued atmosphere, Jesse entered with Isaac in her arms


    and said,”Yo! Both Nelsons are here.” Then she turned to Estre, “Isaac wanted to see his mom, so I


    brought him over.


    As soon as Jesse finished speaking, Isaac beamed at Estre with a bright “Mommy!” His eyes


    squinting with joy, Isaac was the spitting image of Estre as a child. He wore a khaki lightweight puffer


    jacket and a cute hat with bear ears on top.


    Seeing Isaac, Estre’s face lit up, “Isaac came to see mommy, huh? I’m fine, I’ll be home in a couple


    of days to be with you.”


    09.37


    As Estre reached out to embrace Isaac, Bryce intervened. He cautioned, “Mommy’s leg hurts, Isaac,


    be careful. Don’t hug her.”


    Isaac quickly retracted his arms, his big eyes gazing at Estre with concern. Estre noticed Isaac’s


    dampened spirits and reassured him, “Sweetie, I’m okay. Just bumped myself.”


    Isaac saw the cast on her leg and leaned forward to tenderly blow on it to soothe the pain. Estre’s


    heart warmed at his gesture. Her son was truly a blessing.


    Jason stood aside, watching the maternal love in Estre’s eyes and Isaac’s endearing actions, feeling


    a sense of warmth himself. He used to never find children adorable, but now, Estre’s son seemed


    irresistibly cute, making him want to hold the little guy.


    1


    And looking at Isaac now, he thought the child had grown so much in just a month. Last time the child


    seemed barely two, and now he looked every bit a toddler over that age.


    Hands still in his pockets, Jason observed the trio and Isaac, his expression darkening. They seemed


    to be hiding something significant.


    Watching Isaac’s enthusiastic blowing, Bryce reached out to scoop him from Jesse’s arms, casually


    saying, “Son, call daddy.”


    At Bryce’s words, Jason’s expression darkened significantly. Where did Bryce get the nerve to have


    Estre’s child call him daddy?


    With a dark look, Jason observed Bryce, convinced that Isaac would likely ignore Bryce, and wouldn’t


    let Bryce hold him. However, to his surprise, Isaac didn’t just let Bryce hold him. He sweetly called him


    “Daddy.”


    This endearing address from Isaac caught Jason off guard, almostpelling him to leave the scene.


    How had this little boy, who had been extremely cautious and terrified thest time he saw him,


    suddenly be so close to Bryce?


    Jason was evidently unhappy. And it didn’t matter that Bryce was his cousin.


    Turning to look at Jason, Bryce felt a surge of enjoyment seeing his bad temper. Jason deserved this


    for taking Estre for granted in the past.


    Having toyed with Isaac for a while, Bryce suddenly acknowledged Jason’s presence in the room.


    Holding Isaac closer, he coaxed him to say “Uncle.”


    Bryce’s words were followed by a bout ofughter from Jesse. On the other side, Jason red icily at


    Bryce, as if his prating gaze could pierce him.


    Estre was fed up with their antics and said, “Alright, both of you head back. Jesse’s here to keep me


    company.”


    Upon hearing Estre’s words, Jesse reached for Isaac, who in his adorable voice managed to say a


    sweet “uncle” to Jason.


    08.37


    Jesse’s “uncle” made Jason’s heart flutter, and a strange pang of sorrow struck him in the chest. He


    couldn’t quite describe the feeling, and staring at Isaac in front of him, he often found himself


    reminiscing about the good times he and Estre used to have. Back then, she always had a cheerful


    expression as she followed him around.


    Suppressing a breath and swallowing hard, Jason pulled his hand from his pocket and gently ruffled


    Isaac’s hair.


    Then Jesse, noticing Isaac’s curiosity, asked, “Isaac, you’ve greeted everyone. What about me?”


    Isaac, with a silly grin, then dered, “Daddy.”


    Isaac’s call of “daddy” suddenly smoothed over Jason’s previously deted mood. He then cast a


    disapproving look at Estre. “The kid really takes after her, just as silly as she was when she was


    little.” Jason thought to himself.


    Jesse couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, look who’s the smart one now. Today you’re not calling me


    ‘Jesse,’ are you, Isaac?”


    Isaac tilted his head back, imitating her expression, and burst intoughter.


    Estre, witnessing the whole scene, turned to Bryce and Jason and said, “Alright, you two go get busy


    with your things.”


    Bryce turned to Jason with a roguish grin and said, “Mr. Jason, shall we? I’ve got a few things to run by


    you.”


    Jason’s gaze lingered on Estre and Isaac for a moment before he bid farewell to Estre and then


    left with Bryce.


    As the brothers walked side by side down the hallway, immersed in a discussion about work, Jason


    suddenly turned to Bryce and asked, “Is Isaac my son?”